Seven things to know about print

These notes are based on a seminar by Lorenzo and supplemented by research in Getting it right in print by Mark Gatter and The Visual dictionary of pre-pass & production published by ava.


1. Colour models CMYK, RGB, Hexachrome, spot colour, PMS pantone matching systems


2. Formats  - Standard ISO paper sizes

              - A & RSA sizes - Printers work to slightly larger sized paper (12mm)to accommodate bleed

              - Imperial(US) V Metric(Europe/ROW)

              - Tabloid, Broadsheet, Berliner

              - Envelope 'C' sizes

              - DL sizes - third a4 (Standard envelope

3. Artwork - Clients signs off proof

 Document set up, file formats, fonts(Check copyright or commercial use of fonts), Spellcheck, Colour spec, print marks, pre-flight check, Mockups and proofs

4. Stocks -  Weights (GSM - grams per sq. metre)

          -  Finish - Gloss, silk, matt, coated, uncoated

          -  Laid or woven fibres

          -  Boards, cartons

          -  Plastics & acetates

5. Processes - litho, Gravure, flexo  digital, screen or pad 

             - 4, 6 10 colour printing

             - Laminates

6. Finishing - Case binding, Burst binding, Flexi binding, Swiss binding, PVR binding  tougher than perfect binding,        

             - Folding and creasing

             - Die cutting

7. Costs  - three quotes get first stage quote so can provide client with and estimate before investing a lot of time in the design

          - Efficient & economical printing - qties ie <500 digital . > 500 litho?